Violet’s Rest, Exeter

Exeter is a lively city in south Devon with a magnificent cathedral, historic quayside area with artisan shops and cafes, guided tours of the maze of underground passages and a wealth of bars, shops and restaurants. There is a good choice of excellent museums tracing the city’s lengthy history including an interesting medieval building The Tucker’s Hall, built for the Company of Weavers, Tuckers and Shearman which houses exceptional carved panelling, rare silver and a 4 feet long pair of fulling shears. Nearby Parliament Street claims to be the world’s narrowest street – less than 25 inches at its narrowest. The gatehouse and tower of Rougemont castle still stand in the city, surrounded by Rougemont gardens with a backdrop of Roman wall ruins – a tranquil haven. Exeter’s one time importance as a port is reflected in the Custom House, now the centrepiece of the Quayside, a fascinating complex of antique shops and cafes. Within a 15 minute drive of the city, there are some fabulous beaches at Sidmouth and Exmouth, and the start of the 95 mile stretch of Jurassic Coast, all of which provide ample opportunities for relaxation, sport and exploration. Exeter is an ideal south Devon base from which to explore pretty countryside and Heritage Coast.
Nearby there are some superb attractions to visit. Rousham Hall is very close by and although there are restrictions to visiting etc, it is a beautiful stately home. Oxford,’The city of the Dreaming Spires’ and colleges is just 15 mins by car. There are literally hours of things to do there! For the determined shopper, Bicester Village which is a vast outlet centre.

Woodstock has a good range of local pubs, along with restaurants, shops and stores while the famous Blenheim Palace, home to the Duke of Malborough is well worth a day trip.